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Adenosine A 1 and A 2A receptors are attracting great interest as drug targets for their role in cognitive and motor deficits, respectively. Antagonism of both these adenosine receptors may offer therapeutic benefits in complex neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The aim of this study was to explore the affinity and selectivity of 2-benzylidene-1-tetralone derivatives as adenosine A 1 and A 2A receptor antagonists. Several 5-hydroxy substituted 2-benzylidene-1-tetralone analogues with substituents on ring B were synthesized and assessed as antagonists of the adenosine A 1 and A 2A receptors via radioligand binding assays. The results indicated that hydroxy substitution in the meta and para position of phenyl ring B, displayed the highest selectivity and affinity for the adenosine A 1 receptor with K i values in the low micromolar range. Replacement of ring B with a 2-amino-pyrimidine moiety led to compound 12 with an increase of affinity and selectivity for the adenosine A 2A receptor. These substitution patterns led to enhanced adenosine A 1 and A 2A receptor binding affinity. The para-substituted 5-hydroxy analogue 3 behaved as an adenosine A 1 receptor antagonists in a GTP shift assay performed with rat whole brain membranes expressing adenosine A 1 receptors. In conclusion, compounds 3 and 12 , showed the best adenosine A 1 and A 2A receptor affinity respectively, and therefore represent novel adenosine receptor antagonists that may have potential with further structural modifications as drug candidates for neurological disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]